The Spanish boss said that players will need to understand how to honor match officials.
Jamshedpur FC trainer Antonio Iriondo considers that a system of promotion-relegation has to be introduced at the Indian Super League (ISL).
One of the greatest criticisms of the ISL is that it is a closed league wherein no team has an opportunity to break in the cluster unless there’s a tender floated.
However, the ISL will cease to be a closed league from the 2022-23 season ahead. Though no teams will be relegated in that season, the I-League winners will be able to take part in the top league by virtue of virtue rather than by paying any franchise fee. From the subsequent season, relegation will take place which would make certain that the All India Football Federation’s (AIFF) plan to prepare a full-fledged three-tier national system will be in motion.
“The European leagues are created for several years, whereas the ISL is a new league. Over the years they’ve faced difficulties and they’ve overcome it. Probably, the same will occur. Relegation is quite important. If you do not have any situation which compels you to compete, once you aren’t getting results, it does not matter. So you wait. We must change this,” said Iriondo.
Another aspect which the seasoned coach has requested the ISL organizers to check into is the way players act with the referees. He called for retrospective bans being handed to players who violate the behavioural code.
“Here the players go on to touch referees. They yell on the face. This needs to change. In foreign countries, the referees have the capability to reveal a red card. ISL can take action following the game if they believe that some behavior isn’t suitable for the league or any misbehaviour with the referee. There are a great deal of things to change. However, you must change one by one.
“If they keep things like this then it won’t improve. But gradually with all the changes, it is going to get better. I am not saying this because this is the final game and we haven’t got the results. I’ve told all of the coaches I have contact with. I’ve told them that we must respect the referees. The ISL has to do something,” he shared his ideas on how the league could improve in the years to come.
Jamshedpur have not had a memorable time as they find themselves placed eighth on the league table. While they began their campaign on a fantastic note, injuries have started to hamper their season.
“Obviously, it was the worst time. We’ve had problems. Football is all about making quick decisions and repairing things especially in this sort of short leagues. Hopefully, learning from the year will help the club to prepare for another season. This was a season of bad outcomes. But sometimes you win, sometimes you lose. Everyone must take responsibility and consider the betterment of the club,” he elaborated on the club’s woes from the recent ISL season.
Jamshedpur are predicted not to renew their contract with Iriondo and therefore are most likely to appoint their fourth coach is as many seasons.
“We were not able to attain the goals that we had set. However, I have been thinking about this deeply. We’ve done a couple of good things for the club. Whether this opportunity appears, I wish to re-experience it. But at 66-67 decades, I will be probably back at home and teaching soccer to my grandsons.
“I will miss India a lot. I have a good deal of great experience here. I remember only the good things,” he reasoned.